English
עבריתThe beginning
IBC was establish in May 1997 in a big celebration in the presence of the Israeli Ambassador Moshe Raviv, after it seemed like there is a need in the Israeli community for an organisation that will represent its interests and activities.
IBC was established by Amnon Leon, who was the club's Chairman for 14 years, Malka Leon, who managed the club's office, Anat Koren, Gordon Housman, Giora Giladi and Liora Torn-Hibler.
The first time the club members met was when representatives from "Dor Shalom", Yuval Rabin and Tal Zilbershtein came to London to meet the Israeli community. 60 people attended at this meeting. Since then, IBC had the pleasure to host distinguished speakers, mainly from Israel, such as PM Binyamin Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Prof. Amnon Rubinstien, Prof. Uzi Arad, Prof. Shlomo Avineri, the journalists Smadar Perri and Ayala Hasson and many more experts from different fields.
Throughout the years, IBC organised and participated in several activities for the benefit of the state of Israel. In 2002 IBC organised a petition against the BBC coverage of IDF in Gaza during the Close Quarters Battle. 7,500 people signed the petition. In 2008, IBC had in important part in organising a rally to support Israel during operation "Cast Lead". IBC had a group of 100 members that walked in Central London with Israeli flags.
In addition, IBC support Israeli charities and organisations that asks for help. The charities go through a thorough process of approval before they get the club's support.